Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this delectable thirst-quencher may also help quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.

Sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature. Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, notably through its concentration of beta-carotene. Pink watermelon is also a source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene. These powerful antioxidants travel through the body neutralizing free radicals.

Instructions:
In large bowl, mix all ingredients except vinaigrette and pepper. Just before serving, toss salad mixture with vinaigrette. Garnish with pepper.

WATERMELON VINAIGRETTE
A sweet-sour dressing tastes great on fruit or green salads! In small saucepan, heat jelly just until melted; cool. Add remaining ingredients; stir until well blended. Store in refrigerator; shake well before using. Makes about 1/2 cup.
*In blender, process chunks of seeded watermelon until pureed

Instructions:
Place the chicken in a large zipper lock bag with rest of the ingredients and seal tightly. Allow to marinate at least 2 hours or up to 12. Grill until cooked and arrange on a warm platter. Pour the glaze over the chicken and serve immediately.

In a heavy, non-stick skillet over high heat brown the pork until well done. Reduce heat to medium and add the garlic, ginger and soy sauce to the pan. Stir for a few minutes and then add the scallions. Remove from heat and add the Hoisin sauce and pine nuts. Stir to mix well. Fold in the watermelon. Divide among the lettuce leaves, wrap and serve immediately.

Instructions:
Prepare rind by removing green outer rind and red flesh; cut into 1-inch pieces. Combine pickling lime and water in a ratio of 2 tablespoons lime to each quart water and pour over prepared watermelon rind. Make enough to cover all the rind. Soak at least 8 hours, but preferably overnight, stirring the mixture from time to time during the soaking. Drain off lime water. Rinse rind carefully under running water several times to remove all of the lime. Drain rind pieces on a kitchen towel.

Make a syrup of vinegar, 1 cup water and sugar in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Tie spices together in cheesecloth or muslin and add to the syrup. Simmer mixture until all sugar is dissolved. Taste carefully (it is quite hot) and add more sugar or vinegar to taste. Add watermelon rind and boil until transparent and syrup is thick. Remove spice bag.

Put rind and syrup into hot jars, seal and process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

Winter Squash~Pumpkin Prep

I put cut up pieces (large ones) already seeded into my crock pot for 2 or so hours on high. When a fork can easily pierce the squash/pumpkin pieces, I remove it and scrape the flesh into my food processor and whirl a bit. Then I freeze in 1 and 2 cup increments. Soup and pie are obvious and delicious choices, I also put 1 cup of this puree into nearly every batch of muffins, waffles, cookies, pancakes, biscuits etc. that I make. I just take an existing recipe and add my cup of squash puree. It nearly always works, and my kids are none the wiser.

A Few Quick Serving Ideas:

Top puréed cooked winter squash with cinnamon and maple syrup

Steam cubes of winter squash and then dress with olive oil, tamari, ginger and pumpkin seeds

Split the squash lengthwise and bake face-down in a 375s oven on an oiled tray, 30 minutes or until quite soft. Cook and scoop out the insides. You'll need about 3 cups worth. Put it in the blender with the water or stock and puree until smooth. Combine in a kettle or saucepan with the orange juice.

Heat the butter in a skillet and add the garlic, onion, salt and spices. Saute until the onion is very soft. (You may need to add a little water if it sticks). Add mushrooms, cover and cook 10 minutes.

Add the saute to the squash, scraping the skillet well to salvage all the good stuff. Heat everything together very gently. Taste to correct seasoning. Since this is a fairly sweet soup, you may want to spruce it up with some fresh lemon juice.

Serve topped with yogurt and chopped, toasted almonds. Note: this soup need not be served immediately. Simmer a while, and the flavors can mature.

To make the dressing, cut chilies into small rings. Place chilies, garlic and sugar into a mortar and pound into a coarse, wet paste. (If you don't have a mortar, just chop with a knife.) Transfer to a small bowl and add the warm water, lime juice and fish sauce. Stir to dissolve. Set the dressing aside.

Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place squash cut sides up in a microwave dish with 1/4 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and cook on high for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size of squash. Add more cooking time if necessary. Let stand covered, for 5 minutes. With fork "comb" out the strands. Let it cool.

While the squash is cooking, boil the shrimp in lightly salted water. Drain and rinse in some cold water. Peel and butterfly them after they cooled. Add to Squash.

Chop the basil coarsely and add to squash. Mix until the shrimp and basil are evenly distributed.

Mix dressing into squash mixture right before serving. There is more dressing here and is needed for a 4 lb. squash. Mix in only as much dressing as needed to your desired taste. The remaining dressing can be used as a condiment for dipping meat, seafood, and vegetables or for drizzling on plain rice. The dressing will keep up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Cook Spaghetti Squash by cutting in half and cooking like a pumpkin or butternut squash in the oven until it can be easily pierced by a fork. Gently scoop out sqush 'noodles' and serve hot with red sauce or cooled like a noodle salad with your favorite dressing.

Saute garlic and butter until the garlic is soft. Cut the squash in half and steam the squash until tender. Then separate from the shell by running a fork along the length of the squash to get spaghetti-like strands. Add to the pan and toss to coat with butter and garlic. Add fresh diced tomatoes and torn fresh basil, cook for a minute or two and add salt and pepper to taste.

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